Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 17, 2023: SOAP #5127: 2Peter 1-3; John 1  (repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  2Peter (NIV) 2:20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

OBSERVATION:  We rely on doctors to deal with truth about our health.  We want them to discover the truth, reveal the truth and help us deal with the truth.  We are happy when they give us a “good report.”  We may not be happy with a “bad report,” but we should be appreciative.

The Bible is a book of truth, truth about God, truth about man and truth about their relationship.  For the Bible not to tell us about sin is much worse than a doctor not telling us about a fatal disease in our body.

APPLICATION:  It is good to have escaped the corruption of the world.  I know that could only come through a relationship in which Jesus is my Savior and I accept his death on the cross as the payment for my sins.

It is also good to be warned about the possibility of getting entangled again in the corruption of the world.  I know that I can only remain free through a relationship in which Jesus is my Lord, and I choose to only do what pleases him.

PRAYER:  Lord, two things I pray:  thank you for providing the way of escape from sin; and help me not get entangled in it again.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 16, 2023 (repeated from 2017): SOAP #5126: 1Peter 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.  11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

OBSERVATION:  Justice is getting what I deserve. Mercy is not getting what I deserve. Grace is getting what I do not deserve.

There is no power on earth that can force God to be gracious.  There is no intelligence on earth that could devise an argument so convincing that it would convince God to be gracious.  God is gracious because that is His nature.  His grace is limited only by His holiness.  Holiness demands justice, but God’s love found a way, at great cost to Himself, to settle holiness’s demand for justice and extend grace to His creation He so greatly loves.  Grace is an expression of God’s love.  It is as amazing as is His love!

APPLICATION:  The more I understand God’s holiness and love, the more I am humbled to know that the God of all creation — that He Himself settled my issues with being holy by sending His Son to die in my place on a cross. In mercy, He offered me forgiveness; in grace, He accepted me as His child. How can I not live as His humble servant in obedience to His will!

PRAYER:  Gracious Heavenly Father, you are amazing! I am in awe of your grace extended to me. I have not just read about it; I have experienced it! My heart overflows with praise and worship. Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Thank you note from Pastor Andrew. 

God bless you Daddy and everyone. In behalf of me, my family and the SOAP MEMBERS in Sierra Leone West Africa, I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to everyone who have been standing with me in prayer and supporting me financially when I was in the hospital. I want to thank you so much for your love and kindness that you show to me I want you to know that your prayer and your financial contribution help me a lot when I was in the hospital, thank you so much and may the good Lord continue to bless you your family and your ministry in Jesus name Amen. I am so grateful and I will always continue to remember you and your family in my prayer.